Injury mitigating stock guard

Abstract

An injury mitigating stock guard that includes mutually parallel linear members defining linear pockets therebetween of sufficient size to allow the passage of the hoof of an adult domesticated animal. The linear members include one or more laterally extending flanges that prevent the further passage of the hoof through the bottoms of the pockets to prevent injury.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A stock guard comprising:
 a plurality of mutually parallel, spaced apart linear members having a long dimension, each linear member having a top surface such that a plurality of top surfaces lie in a top plane; 
 wherein adjacent pairs of linear members define linear pockets, each pocket having a long dimension, and a short dimension; 
 wherein the linear members each have a hat-shaped cross-section along substantially the entirety of the long dimension of the linear members, each linear member comprising a rectangular center portion comprising a top side defining the top surface and two parallel spaced apart vertical sides, and two lateral, outwardly extending horizontal flanges extending from bottom ends of the vertical sides, arranged along substantially the entirety of the long dimension of the linear member; 
 wherein facing vertical sides of adjacent pairs of the linear members define vertical sides of the linear pockets, and adjacent flanges of each respective adjacent pair of linear members extend toward one another to define bottom sides of said linear pockets; 
 wherein respective longitudinal edges of said adjacent flanges define linear slots in said bottom sides of said pockets sized to prevent the hoof of an animal from passing through but allowing passage of water and debris, 
 wherein the linear members are affixed to and above a plurality of mutually parallel support members; and 
 wherein the top surfaces of the linear members are painted a first color and the vertical sides and flanges of the linear members are painted a second contrasting color, and wherein the first color is lighter than the second color to deter an animal from placing its hoof in the pockets to prevent injury thereto. 
 
     
     
       2. The stock guard of  claim 1 , further including two vehicular transition regions comprising the plurality of mutually parallel linear members, wherein the top surface lies in a plane sloping from the top plane toward the ground. 
     
     
       3. The stock guard of  claim 1  wherein the bottom sides of the linear pockets are arranged parallel to and below the top plane. 
     
     
       4. The stock guard of  claim 3 , wherein at least some of the bottom sides of the linear pockets are co-planar. 
     
     
       5. The stock guard of  claim 1 , wherein the linear slots extend substantially the entire lengths of the linear members to which they are adjacent. 
     
     
       6. The stock guard of  claim 1 , wherein the mutually parallel support members are arranged on the ground. 
     
     
       7. A stock guard, comprising:
 a plurality of mutually parallel, spaced apart linear members capable of supporting a wheeled vehicle as it travels over a top surface of the stock guard; 
 wherein the linear members each have a hat-shaped cross-section along substantially the entirety of a long dimension of the linear members, each linear member comprising a rectangular center portion comprising a flat top side defining said top surface and two parallel spaced apart vertical sides, and two lateral, outwardly extending horizontal flanges extending from bottom ends of the vertical sides, arranged along substantially the entirety of the long dimension of the linear member; 
 wherein a spacing between the linear members is between 2.5 and 5 inches; 
 wherein adjacent pairs of said linear members define linear vertical pockets; 
 wherein facing vertical sides of adjacent pairs of the linear members define vertical sides of the pockets, and adjacent flanges of each respective adjacent pair of linear members extend toward one another to define bottom surfaces of said pockets; 
 wherein respective longitudinal edges of said adjacent flanges define slots in a middle portion of said bottom surfaces of said vertical pockets sized to prevent the hoof of an animal from passing through but allowing passage of water and debris, and said slots run substantially the entire length of the linear members; and 
 wherein the top surfaces of the linear members are painted a first color and the vertical sides and flanges of the linear members are painted a second contrasting color, and wherein the first color is lighter than the second color to deter an animal from placing its hoof in the pockets to prevent injury thereto.